School is almost out of session (or is already out, for some), and many new graduates are getting ready to start the next phase in their lives. This exciting transition is a cause for celebration! Send the new graduates in your life off on their new journey with a handmade gift that will keep them warm, but also remind them of your constant love and support. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite knit and crochet patterns for new grads to help you narrow down your search for the perfect gift.

Knit the Collegiate Cables Sweater to send a high school graduate off to college with a classic style and warm cardigan. The clever cabled button band gives it a unique look, placing the buttons in between each twist. Choose your grad’s new school colors for a personalized gift she’ll adore.

For your graduating guys, the Classic Letterman Sweater is just what he needs for a smart but youthful style. Contrasting color bands on one sleeve give this crocheted cardigan a cool vintage look, while the handsome fit can easily be dressed up or down.

For a quick knit, the Two-Tone Twist Hat is another fun project that lends itself perfectly to classic college colors. The stripes are twisted into eye-catching cables, so the colors are entwined beautifully. I know that summer hasn’t even started yet, but fall (and the beginning of the next school year) will be here before you know it! It’s never to early to start knitting an intriguing new hat pattern, and this one is most certainly in my queue.

The Carry-All Tote is another fun accessory that will work up in a flash. Crochet this versatile bag for a college grad so she can keep all her essentials in place as she enters the job market. The simple button closure and sturdy cotton fabric make it a sensible design, but the playful stitch pattern will remind the recipient to find time to relax and have fun!

Blankets are always welcome gifts, and the Baby Blue Sampler Blanket would make a fantastic addition to any dorm room. The simple squares are knit in basic textured stitch patterns, making this afghan an easy way to show how much you care.

Artistic graduates will love the color blocking and clean lines on the Mondrian Throw. This fun and easy crochet pattern has a simple style that will transition perfectly from dorm to apartment (and eventually the recipient’s first home!). The stitch pattern is subtle enough that it doesn’t compete with the bold colors, but it gives this piece just the right amount of texture.

Do you have a new graduate in your life? Show them how proud you are by giving them a handmade gift they’ll always treasure! We’d love to hear about your rad grads, so give them a shout out here or on our Facebook page!

Our next crochet along is right around the corner, and it’s gonna be a good one! We’re making the Beaded Box Stitch Shawl from the Summer 2015 Issue of Love of Crochet, and I’m beyond excited about stitching up this gorgeous accessory. The unique box stitches and elegant beaded border really set this shawl apart, and it’s light enough to wear on a warm day.

We’ll crochet our starting chain on June 12th, and we hope you’ll join us in making this summery wrap. It’s crocheted in CoBaSi by HiKoo, and the blend of fibers in the yarn give the shawl a really nice finish. To get the same effect, be sure to get your Beaded Box Stitch Shawl kit. The kit includes all the yarn and beads you’ll need, as well as a complete copy of the Summer 2015 Issue!

Don’t worry if you’ve never crocheted with beads before! The beading instructions are straightforward and easy to follow, so this shawl will be a great introduction to this simple technique. The eye-catching stitch pattern is new to me, but the pattern includes both written instructions and a chart, so I’m confident I can figure it out.

Will you be joining me in the crochet along? If so, I hope to see pictures and updates about your shawls as we go, but first – grab your kit so you’re ready to start with us on June 12th. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Hats are such quick and satisfying knit and crochet projects, we often end up with more than we can use or gift. If your hands have the urge to make more hats than your wardrobe requires, donating hats to charity is a wonderful way to support and comfort someone going though a tough time. While the donation may seem small, recipients treasure their handmade hats, knowing that someone was thinking about them and took the time to make them a one-of-a-kind gift.

Knots of Love is an amazing organization that donates handknit or crocheted hats to chemo patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses. They also donate blankets to NICU patients as another meaningful gift given to tiny newborn babies. If you want to donate a cap or blanket to Knots of Love, be sure to check out their donation criteria and approved list of yarns.

If you’re searching for the perfect hat pattern to send to this incredible charity, the free Imperial Yarn Snowflake Hat pattern is an easy knitting project that would definitely be treasured. The free Spiral Cloche crochet pattern is another great option to donate to this important cause.

Have you ever knit or crocheted a hat for charity? What about a blanket? Tell us your experiences here or on Facebook – we can’t wait to hear from you!

Spring and summer, with their combinations of sunny days and cool breezes, are the perfect seasons for shawls! Shawls are great for fickle weather because you can wrap them snuggly around your neck to ward off a chill, then drape them loosely over your shoulders when the sun comes out. If you’re hoping to crochet a brand new shawl, here are some of our favorite patterns for spring and summer.

The Amethyst Smoke Shawl is an elegant and airy design crocheted in Frolicking Feet. The body of the shawl is created with easy chains and single crochet stitches, and double crochet clusters form the wavy edging. That means two gorgeous stitch patterns in one springy shawl!

Tunisian crocheters will love the Raspberry Iced Tea Shawl. The extended stitches make it light and wispy, while the bobble fringe gives it an extra dose of fun. Crocheted with Irish Jig by Interlacements, this piece even has a touch of sparkle so it’ll easily take you from day to night.

The Olive Twist Shawl comes in a handy kit, making your yarn selection easy. Using the right fiber is essential for this crisp summery shawl, and Creative Linen does just the trick. Get this unique filigreed look by crocheting large chain loops and twisting them during the next row. If this technique sounds new to you, our free picture tutorial will show you how it’s done!

If you love texture, the Sonoma Shawl will be right up your alley. The puff stitches are arranged in a cool geometric design, and they really set this shawl apart. I wear my Sonoma Shawl wrapped around my neck like a cowl when it’s chilly, but drape it loosely over your shoulders and you’re ready for summer!

Finally, the Mandala Shawl is an irresistible accessory that I can’t get out of my mind. The circular motifs are created with broomstick lace worked in the round (intriguing!), and the alpaca and silk yarn feels heavenly to the touch. The motifs are joined as you go, so you won’t have to worry about stitching them all together at the end.

Are you ready for shawl season? Which one of these 5 patterns is your favorite? Tell us your thoughts here or on Facebook – we can’t wait to hear from you!